Catching up...

I'm officially back from camping, an internet-less weekend. By choice. Our campground actually had wifi and I did bring my laptop so I could empty my memory card as it filled up, but I stayed away from blog-land and e-mail.
I'm having such a great time catching up on all the posts I missed over the weekend! I'm salivating over Busy Bee's canning treasures, it's inspiring me to log onto Craigslist and look for more canning equipment!
I'm SO excited about Karen finally ariving in Anchorage after her 7-day solo driving tour from North Carolina! I can't wait to see Alaska through her alaska-virgin eyes! My parents did the same trip, but from Connecticut, back in 1972. Except they did it with a 2-year old (my big brother) to boot!
I'm also happy for Triz, who is on the Front Page! She's just the nicest person, and a wonderful, inspiring artist as well! Couldn't happen to a nicer person!
Checking in on Shelly and Hope is always a treat! Hope's concentration with the horses and ponies is so cute!
And I can't wait to make this bag! Darling Petunia has such elegance and style! Of course, that's going to have to wait until the other 15,000 ideas I have lined up have been done! Naw, I'll just do it now!
And I LOVE Stephanie's jars! Another idea for a rainy day. Maybe if I schedule it now, I'll get it done by mid-October.
I SO wish I lived in Tampa Bay, (and hadn't taken the Buy Nothing Challenge,) because I'd TOTALLY snatch up this blender!
I found that I could relate to a lot of the readers from Simple Dollar's mailbag, especially Dody (feeling like you're not doing enough; The steps I'm taking seem miniscule in relation to my goals) But Trent's encouragement to break it down into weekly goals is right on.
Reading about Journeyer's July Goals Review reminds me that it's important to make goals not only in finance, but all areas in life. (And to have them posted in front of you all month too!!)
And Leah's post made me laugh, because it's the same question I've asked myself constantly in the last month as we've had so much rain! (Are there any other ideas for how to use the dehumidifier water besides throwing it down the drain?)
Not to mention Bragger's Un-Goals for the New School Year. Seriously, totally laugh-worthy material!
I couldn't wait to hear about Jana's most recent Journey, and was inspired by her insight on the woman with the alabaster box.
I was also more than eager to get an update on my church's current trip to Rwanda. I'm excited that they also including a post with some pictures.
I found another book I need to read. Except it may just end up being more clutter. Which would kind of defeat the purpose. (When organizing isn't enough, shed your stuff, change your life.)
And finally, Laura reminded me that it's Menu Plan Monday. But the day's not over yet!!
My hubby and I saw lots of bikes this weekend up north in the lakes region of New Hampshire. It made us consider riding up on our bikes next year instead of the truck. Sounds like a great idea to me! (Now we just need to find good deals on a couple of bikes and the funds to pay for them with!)

Motorcycle Training:Day 3

I made it!

I got the certificate so I can just go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and get my motocycle operator's endorsement without taking additional tests!

We showed up to class at 8 am just as it started raining. And raining. Harder and Harder. We broke for lunch, and it stopped. We got back to work and it got darker and darker (but wasn't raining). We were just about to set up for the final exercise (aka "The Test") when the thunder and lightening started. We took the opportunity to do the written test and then it was borderline sunny! We got to do the riding test under almost ideal conditions and we all passed!


I did dump my bike once earlier in the day while practicing braking. I locked up the front brakes and skidded. It happened before I knew it! I don't even remember falling, just scramling to get up and wondering why I couldn't move my right foot! It was pinned underneath the bike, but I got it out and I didn't even bruise. The instructor showed me how to get the bike off the ground real quick and I was off and running again in no time. Another bonus of having a small bike is that it's light enough for me to get it off the ground without help if I'm ever in that situation!


Buy Nothing Challenge or not, I don't regret my waterproof pants purchase last night ONE BIT. There were a couple of guys out there without full raingear that were simply miserable. I was warm and mostly dry the whole time. Even my feet! (Not complaining about not being able to wear my sandals either!)

Motorcycle Training, Day 2: Riding!!

Wow. This is so much fun! The instructors are fun and enthusiastic about riding, the sky was overcast all day so it didn't get too hot, and I'm riding a Suzuki GN125. Sounds small, but it's perfect for me! If you're unfamiliar with bike sizes, there are scooters that are 150 cc's and 200 cc's. The "125" in GN125 indicates that it's only got 125 cc's.

But I love it cuz I can touch the ground with my toes. That's all I ask!

The one problem is my physical conditioning. I tend to gt tendonitis and bursitis in just about any joint in my body and sitting on the bike for 6 hours today didn't "sit" well with my left hip and leg. Lesson learned, I'll have to be mindfull of that (and dose myself up on ibuprofen before we go tomorrow!)

I'm exhausted, but exhilerated.

Tomorrow's forcast:

90% chance of rain. Probably showers in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon. We ride in any condition except thunder and lightening.

So do I go out and buy raingear?
Or stick to my Buy Nothing New Challenge?
I think an exception is in order. I have zero time to thrift shop, so to Walmart I go.
Then it's beddy-by.





keeping hydrated

Lunch break

Motorcycle safety training, day 1:

So cool! I'm super excited to get on the bike tomorrow. Tonight was all classwork, three hours worth!
I'm the only woman in a class of 11 students. We'll have about five or so hours of range riding tomorrow and then another three hours of classwork. One of the instructors is a woman as well.
We don't actually need jackets, which is good since it's going to be in the 80's and no shade! All we need is a long sleeved shirt. I'm glad for that, since I have to wear constricing boots.
Have I mentioned my dislike of all things enclosed being anywhere near my feet? My feet are like leather because I go barefoot as much as I possibly can in the spring, summer and fall. And in the winter, I still go barefoot when I'm home!
I'm getting a little irritated with my hubby, so it's a very good thing I'm doing the 30-day Husband Encouragement Challenge! Stop and think. Stop and think!